Watford

Watford's population expanded in the decade leading up to the most recent census. At the same time there were changes in housing tenure, ethnicity and religion.

The population passed 90,000

In the decade to 2011, the population of Watford increased by 13%, from just over 79,700 to 90,300.

The addition of just under 11,000 people means this area's population increased faster than the rate of growth across England (up 7.9% since the 2001 census).

In 2011, Watford was home to, on average, 30 people per football pitch-sized piece of land (about 7,140 square metres). This made it Eastof England's second-most densely-populated district.

Population density was higher than the average across Eastof England

Population density (usual residents per 7,140 square metres) across Eastof England, March 2011 (larger dots represent greater increase since 2001)

Rise in private renting

Census 2011 data also show a housing tenure change in Watford.

The percentage of households in Watford that rented privately increased from 9.7% in 2001 to 20% in 2011.

The proportion that lived in social housing remained close to 16%, while the percentage of Watford households that owner their home decreased from 72% to 62%.

The proportion of privately rented homes increased faster here than the figure for the whole of Eastof England (from 8.6% in 2001 to 15% in 2011). Across England, the proportion increased from 9.9% to 17%.

Private renting in Watford increased by 10 percentage points

Percentage of households in Watford, Eastof England and England that rented privately, March 2001 and March 2011

Ethnicity in Watford

The number of people in Watford from the White ethnic groups increased from about 69,000 in 2001 to about 65,000 in 2011. This represents a change from 86% to 72% of the local population.

The percentage decreased by more than the average across Eastof England (from 95% to 90%) and the average across England (from 91% to 85%).

The number of people in Watford from the Asian or Asian British ethnic groups increased from about 7,000 in 2001 to about 16,000 in 2011 (from 8.8% to 18%). The number of residents from the Black, Black British, Caribbean or African ethnic groups increased from about 2,100 to just over 5,200 (from 2.7% to 5.8%).

About 3,100 people (2.1%) said they were from Mixed/multiple ethnic groups (White and Asian, White and Black African, White and Black Caribbean or Other Mixed), up from just under 1,700 in 2001 (3.4%).

There are many factors that can cause changes to the ethnic profile of an area, such as migration and varying fertility rates between ethnic groups. Changes may also be caused by differences in the way individuals choose to self-identify between censuses.

The population from the White ethnic groups in Watford decreased by 14 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents in England, East and Watford by ethnicity, March 2001 and March 2011

Religion in Watford

The number of people in Watford that described themselves as Hindu increased from just under 1,400 in 2001 to just over 4,300 in 2011. This represents a change from 1.7% to 4.8% of the local population.

Across Eastof England, the percentage of people from this religious group fell from 0.6% to 1.0%, while across England the percentage went from 1.2% to 1.6%.

The number of people in Watford that described themselves as Christian decreased from just under 53,000 in 2001 to about 49,000 in 2011 (from 66% to 54%). The number of people who described themselves as having no religion increased from just under 13,000 to just over 19,000 (from 16% to 21%).

Just over 8,900 people (6.1%) said they were Muslim, up from just under 4,900 in 2001 (9.9%).

There are many factors that can cause changes to the religious profile of an area, such as migration and varying fertility rates between religious groups. Changes may also be caused by differences in the way individuals choose to self-identify between censuses.

The population who identified as Hindu in Watford increased by 3.1 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents in England, East and Watford by religion, March 2001 and March 2011

More homes with children

This area saw Eastof England's third-largest rise in the proportion of households with children.

Across the region, only St Albans (from 31% to 33%) and Thurrock (from 32% to 35%) saw a greater increase in the proportion of households with children.

During this period, Watford overtook 13 local authority areas, including Dacorum and Huntingdonshire, to become the Eastof England local authority area with the seventh-highest percentage of households with children.

In 2011, just under one in three (33%) households in Watford had at least one dependent child, compared with 30% in 2001. The percentage with no children decreased from 60% to 58%.

The proportion of households with children was higher than across Eastof England

Percentage of households that with at least one dependent child across local authority areas in Eastof England and the average across England, March 2011

Changing relationships in Watford

The proportion of married people fell in Watford, but at a slower rate than all other local authority areas in Eastof England, except Welwyn Hatfield and Fenland.

Every local authority area across Eastof England saw a fall in the proportion of married people, as the regional average fell from 54% to 50%.

During this period, Watford fell below Ipswich, Welwyn Hatfield and Harlow to become the Eastof England local authority area with the seventh-lowest percentage of married people.

In 2011, just under one in two (46%) people aged 16 and over in Watford said they were married, compared with 48% in 2001. The percentage that said they were single increased from 34% to 38%.

The proportion of married people was lower than across Eastof England

Percentage of usual residents aged 16 and over that that said they were married across local authority areas in Eastof England and the average across England, March 2011

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